Plastic pollution has become an urgent, worldwide problem. The average person now ingests about 100 plastic particles each year from eating shellfish and up to 68,415 plastic fibers each year just from the plastic dust particles landing on their plates during meals. Tap water, bottled water1 and sea salt2 also come with a "side order" of microplastics. Many of the chemicals used to make plastics disrupt hormones, embryonic development and gene expression, and are linked to obesity, heart disease and cancer. Marine animals are also gravely affected. Microbeads, tiny plastic pellets that consumer product industries put in body washes, facial scrubs and toothpaste, now fill the bellies of sea animals and act as a sponge for other toxins. The death toll grows. The Bane of MicrobeadsIn 2008, researchers from the University of New South Wales in Sydney showed that tiny plastic particles don't simply pass through sea creatures unnoticed, as was once thought. Using mussels as an example, the study3 revealed that ingested microplastics first accumulate in the gut but, within three days, travel to the circulatory system where they remain for more than 48 days. According to a 2016 National Geographic report,4 as many as 4,360 tons of microbeads were used in personal care products sold in the European Union in 2012, all of which were flushed down drains and ended up in waterways. One-third of the fish caught in the English Channel contain microbeads,5 as do 83 percent of scampi sold in the U.K.6 Microfibers from clothing also seriously contribute to plastic pollution. When they are released into waste water systems during washing, the irregular shape of these plastic particles renders them more difficult for marine life to excrete than other microplastics. In addition to physical blockages and chemical poisoning, microfibers consumed by marine life can cause the animals to feel artificially full, eat less and ultimately starve to death. Plastic Hunter Boyan Slat Gives New Hope to Plastic PollutionAn insightful and encouraging new documentary,7 "Boyan Slat Hunting for Plastic," shows how one committed young man and his organization, Ocean Cleanup, are addressing plastic pollution on a global scale. At the core of Slat's plastic cleanup efforts is a trash-collecting barge or "barrier." The barge works like an artificial coastline — long floating arms catch plastic waste swept into its folds by currents. The plastic debris is then offloaded to a boat that sweeps by periodically, likely probably once a month.8 The collection barge relies entirely on ocean currents for energy and does not need an external energy source. Electronics on board are powered by solar panels. (People also "can get their email," Slat jokes in the documentary, because the collection barge has Wi-Fi.) It is a completely passive system, says Slat, that works with nature. The difference in speed that the plastic, barrier and the water travel — surface water moves faster than plastic debris, which moves faster than the barrier — ushers the plastic into the barrier. If the plastic and barrier floated at the same rate, "you will never capture plastic," explains Slat. The barrier is looking for "the path of the least resistance," he says. The 600-meter-long (about 656 yards) barge or barrier sports a "skirt" that hangs 2 or 3 meters (6.5 or 9.8 feet) below, in the water, to collect debris. Since the skirt is positioned in the middle but not at the edges, it allows the barrier to assume a U-shape Slat notes is central to collecting the plastic debris. Even if the wind and water take a different direction or speed, the passive system will still work, says Slat. Moreover, wind and water directional and speed changes will not alter the barrier's U-shape that is crucial to its ability to pick up plastic. Slat Has Studied and Perfected His SystemBefore Slat's venture, his team, which includes 65 engineers among other staff, conducted "reconnaissance" of the North Pacific. They organized an expedition of 30 ships to measure larger pieces of debris. They also flew over the area to measure amounts of even bigger trash like huge discarded fishing nets.9 While the Slat team originally thought of fixing the barge to the ocean floor, they changed their minds. "We thought 'wait a minute, instead of fixing it to the seabed, we can fix it in that deep-water layer,'" explained Slat. "The massive sea anchor slows down the system so it travels slower than at the surface, and the plastic still accumulates along the barrier and toward the center of the system."10 Their first test of the collection barge was planned for the Great Pacific garbage patch, also called the Pacific trash vortex — a 1.6 million-square-kilometer area of ocean between Hawaii and California that is roughly equivalent to 618,000 square miles. The patch has high concentrations of plastic debris that have been trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Gyre11 — most suspended and often microscopic plastic particles being in the upper water column.12 Slat predicts that 50 percent of total trash in the Great Pacific garbage patch can be removed in just five years at a cost significantly less than $320 million.13 So far, funding for Slat's ambitious project has come from crowdfunding and investors from Silicon Valley. Slat does not take such largesse lightly. Financial supporters are investing in a promise, he says, and The Ocean Cleanup has got to deliver on that promise. There will not be a second chance to prove the efficacy of the plan he notes — the support is finite. If all goes well, Slat hopes to build over 120 systems. The documentary shows The Ocean Cleanup employees moving into their brand-new offices, presumably funded by their financial supporters. Later they throw Slat a gala birthday party. The employees, mostly young, appear to be eager to address plastic pollution of oceans aggressively and to be full of idealism. All Types of Plastic Pollute the OceansMicroplastic is the worst kind of plastic, says oceanographer Laurent Lebreton, who appears in the documentary because it can, and does, invade the entire food chain from honey and beer to bottled water, tap water and salt. A big challenge in containing plastic damage is keeping the larger plastic pieces from degrading into microplastics says Lebreton. Approximately half of the plastic in the Great Pacific garbage patch is fishing nets says Lebreton, displaying the unsightly clusters to the camera. In the middle of the clusters are massive "knots" of plastic twice or three times the size of beach balls which, despite their heft, are able to float. Finding production codes on the plastic debris is useful in understanding their source and their behavior, says Lebreton, noting that one piece of plastic debris The Ocean Cleanup has collected has a production code from the 1970s. Another piece of plastic that Lebreton displays for the camera, the size of a baseball, had been in the ocean so long, coral had wrapped around it. Yes, plastic is actually changing the ecostructure of oceans. Harm to AnimalsMany colorful plastics are thought by marine life to be "food" says Lebreton in the documentary, and he displays plastic pieces with teeth marks where animals have pathetically sought to "feed" and ended up with bodies full of plastic. Lest anyone doubt the harm ocean plastic is wreaking on marine life, employees in the documentary are shown a videotaped autopsy of a sea turtle. Sure enough, as it is sliced open, plastic bags and other plastic objects are retrieved from the turtle's body –– greasy, black and lethal to the turtle being autopsied. "This is 30 seconds of what was a four-hour autopsy" of four turtles, explains an Ocean Cleanup employee who was involved with the autopsy. "When we opened them up, the conditions were awful," and all the cases of their deaths "were related to plastic." "You are not just here for what the world says, you are here to save animals and they will thank you for that," he concludes to applause. Valuable International FriendsSlat and The Ocean Cleanup have the support of important European Union (EU) leaders. One of the group's advisers is Feike Sijbesma, CEO of Royal DSM, who has an on-camera meeting with Slat in the film.14 Royal DSM is a Dutch multinational active in the fields of health, nutrition and materials, headquartered in Heerlen.15 DSM is also a financial supporter of The Ocean Cleanup.16 Slat and The Ocean Cleanup also have the support of Frans Timmermans, a Dutch politician and diplomat serving as the first vice president of the European Commission and European Commissioner for the Better Regulation, Interinstitutional Agreement.17 "You can ban all plastics," he says in a meeting with Slat, but if there's "no recyclable degradable alternative" you have not made much progress. This "entails more than just cleaning up plastic, it's about producing as little plastic as possible," he says. Both men agree that awareness of the ocean plastic pollution problem is finally being raised. The plastic is hidden under the surface says Slat, but once "our ships come back filled to the brim with plastic debris, people will be shocked and motivated." "Five years ago, they [other EU countries] would have laughed at us," agrees Timmermans, marveling at how far the movement to clean up ocean plastic has come. Beyond Cleanup –– Plastic Use ItselfFor years I have suggested that plastics should not be single-use and that people should recycle more. The truth is, recycling has been a dismal failure, especially in the U.S. Even as the realities of plastic pollution loom larger than ever, recycling rates remain disappointing in the U.S. and much of the world. In the U.S., nearly 260 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) are generated annually, but only 90 million tons of this MSW are recycled or composted, making up a recycling rate of close to 35 percent. That's down from 37 percent in 1995. In other words, even though plastic production and pollution are way up, recycling is less common than it was 24 years ago. Even though most plastic water and soda bottles are made from highly recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (PET), most such bottles end up littering oceans and landfills because people fail to recycle them. The Guardian18 reported that fewer than half of the plastic bottles purchased in 2016 were recycled, and only 7 percent were made into new bottles. In contrast, Norway recycles up to 97 percent of its plastic bottles, the spoils of an environmental tax that plastics producers in the country must pay if they don't reach a recycling target of 95 percent or more. Producers who meet the target recycling rate do not have to pay the tax, which most accomplish by attaching a deposit of about 15 to 30 cents to every plastic bottle. Reverse vending machines are found all over Norway, in schools, grocery stores and more, making it easy for consumers to bring their plastic bottles back for recycling and the return of their deposit. The Spin of Plastic Manufacturers Should Be IgnoredPlastic manufacturers tout the merits of plastics in helping food to stay fresh longer, travel longer distances and avoid contamination but environmentalists know that a better solution is that people buy "local," purchase sensible amounts of food that don't go to waste and use reusable containers in home fridges to avoid disposable plastics. In the U.S., the idea of attaching deposits to plastic bottles has been suggested but lobbied against by manufacturers who worry the increase in price could affect their sales. Even in areas where bottle return centers have been built, like California, they haven't been widely frequented, and in fact have dwindled in numbers by 40 percent over the last two years. Certainly, properly recycling plastics, and better yet, opting for items that are not sold in plastic containers to begin with, refusing straws and bottled water, and using refillable bottles and coffee mugs are simple ways to reduce plastic pollution. Nor has The Ocean Cleanup's project ignored the problem of recycling existing plastic objects, observes Fast Company:19
Addressing Food Plastics Is Not EnoughLuckily, many are now aware of the harm of plastic bags, plastic containers, plastic straws and bottled water. Many are now using refillable bottles and coffee mugs are other simple ways to reduce plastic. Still, fewer people are aware of the significant harm to our oceans from the microfibers in their clothing. People may believe by avoiding plastic food-related items they have done all they can to help with plastic pollution without looking at their clothing at an important source of plastic pollution. For example, a synthetic jacket may release up to 2.7 grams (250,000 microfibers) with each washing. Wastewater treatment plants filter 65 percent to 92 percent of microfibers, which isn't enough to prevent environmental pollution. One "solution" to the microfiber pollution problem would be to install filters in washing machines — similar to lint traps in dryers — that could catch the fibers prior to them being released with the wastewater. The problem with this solution, however, is what becomes of the microfibers when they're disposed of in landfills? Clearly the plastic pollution problem persists. What Makes Slat TickAccording to estimates, by 2050 our oceans will contain more plastic than fish by weight,20 which is exactly what inspired Slat to launch his radical, plastic removing The Ocean Cleanup campaign. In the documentary, Slat says his mission began when, "while diving in Greece I came across more plastic bags than fish." Slat was in high school then and is now only 24 but clearly helming an idea whose time had come. It is not a surprise that the Netherlands would lead the way in addressing ocean issues, says The New York Times:21
What motivates Slat's efforts? Too many people think of innovation as a way to get rich and not a way to "enrich humanity," he says. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/11/24/boyan-slat-ocean-cleanup.aspx
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More than half the U.S. population is struggling with chronic illness,1 and 1 in 5 deaths is obesity related.2 We have overwhelming rates of heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's, and future projections only look worse. One of the saddest aspects, though, is that advice given by governmental entities and conventional medicine has utterly failed when it comes to disease prevention. The good news is, it doesn't have to be this way. Aspects of health are multiple and varied, especially in recent years since a greater emphasis has been placed on fitness, disease prevention and optimal health. That's where we come in. When it comes to finding accurate and up-to-the-moment information you need to improve or maintain your health — such as the importance of balancing your sodium and potassium ratios, how to manage crucial mitochondrial function or the vital differences between omega-3s and omega-6s — Mercola.com has it covered. For example, magnesium is among the most common nutrient deficiencies, and sets the stage for deterioration of proper metabolic function that typically snowballs into more significant health problems. But you can keep your magnesium levels in a therapeutic range by eating a varied diet and including dark leafy vegetables, seaweed and some beans, nuts and seeds, like pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds, which can be great sources of magnesium. This is precisely the type of information you can find using Mercola.com to access what you need, now. If you know your body requires more of a certain vitamin or mineral, or if you're interested in consuming foods containing antioxidants, you can peruse the food options, find the ones that meet your nutritional needs and plan your meals accordingly. Multiple branches of information at Mercola.com allow you to read more about what you're interested in; just click on the sites below each section. Whether it's information about supplementation, beneficial compounds you put in and on your body or the differences between essential oils (not to mention cooking oils), you'll find it here. The categories listed and covered below are:
Tea: What It Is and What It Can Do for YouTea is the most popular drink worldwide, right after good old H2O, which is no surprise since tea has been on the radar, so to speak, for millennia. Known for its ability to rejuvenate, tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant and includes varieties that depend on the method used for drying the leaves. In a major contrast, herbal teas are infusions of other herbs and spices added for their flavors and health benefits. More than a pick-me-up, tea can improve your immune system, reduce your blood pressure and soothe your digestive system, and studies suggest it may lower your risk for several cancers.3 Rooibos tea, for instance, is loaded with antioxidants, protecting your cells from harmful free radicals. And, studies show it improves your heart health. Moringa tea has earned superfood status due to its extensive nutrients and medicinal properties, such as anti-inflammation and blood sugar regulation. Matcha tea is growing in popularity because a catechin in it known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is another free radical fighter, and an amino acid known as L-theanine increases serotonin and dopamine production in your brain, improving memory, boosting energy and potentially detoxifying heavy metals and chemicals from your body. Oolong tea, rich in antioxidant polyphenols, including EGCG, is one of the healthiest teas you can choose. But not all teas are created equal. Case in point: If you're one of millions suffering from constipation, perhaps you're familiar with senna tea. Often labeled as a natural remedy for weight loss and/or constipation (as well as ridding your body of certain parasites), it may exert a more laxative effect than you expected. It contains neither calories nor nutritional benefits to speak of, so be aware of marketing ploys, and check this site for more information on the benefits — and possible pitfalls — of what you eat and drink. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Food Facts: A Directory of Foods That Comprise a Healthy DietHow amazing is it that you can plant a seed, watch it grow and harvest vegetables, herbs and fruits that are loaded with all kinds of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients? Beets, onions, cantaloupe, peaches, lemons and fennel are all examples of nutritious foods you can potentially have at your fingertips in the most literal sense. You can also read about more obscure or not commonly grown plant-based foods. They can help you discover their truly amazing health benefits you might be missing. Examples might be figs, cardamom, almonds and quince, the latter, as an example, noted for blood pressure maintenance, weight management and boosting your immune system. Reading our Food Facts pages gives you detailed information on the protein, fiber, carbs and sugar foods contain according to serving sizes, which helps you determine what to eat to optimize your health. You'll also find the science behind the facts through clinical studies, which reveal what the compounds in your favorite foods can do for you, as well as growing tips for your garden, where to shop to find what you need and delicious, healthy recipes to round out your meals. However, please note that choosing organic foods means less exposure to pesticides, more antioxidants, improved early childhood development and lower risk of disease. Researchers report that the polyphenol levels in organic fruits and vegetables are higher than those doused with chemical pesticides.4 "Eating organic" represents long-term benefits for adults and children alike, as the cadmium and other heavy metal content is lower than in conventionally grown crops, which makes it far safer for infants, children and pregnant women. Additionally, calcium, iron, protein and/or zinc deficiencies may worsen cadmium uptake and toxicity. On the upside, the flavor of organic produce is deeper and more tasty. What's not to like? >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Herbs and Spices: The Difference Between Them and Health Advantages"Herbs" and "spices" often seem to be thrown into the same interchangeable category, but these are two separate areas of the plant kingdom. Several have names that reflect their exotic origins, such as ashwagandha, sriracha and wasabi. The word "herb" usually refers to the green parts, such as leaves, of non-woody plants that impart a wide array of surprisingly powerful compounds relating to health improvement. Basil is one of the most popular herbs and one of the healthiest. There are more than 60 varieties with "flavors" as varied as lemon, anise and cinnamon. Antibacterial properties and DNA-protecting flavonoids hint at the power behind these fragrant leaves, which contain volatile oils with the power to kill harmful bacteria that even sometimes antibiotic medications can't, including listeria, staphylococcus and E. coli.5 Spices, on the other hand, can come from the leaves, stems, roots, seeds, bark and/or flowers, and they're used in smaller amounts than herbs due to their higher potency and stronger flavor. Nevertheless, seasoning your food with liberal amounts of herbs and spices greatly multiplies the medicinal value. Numerous studies indicate their amazing potential for healing and combating various illnesses. Cloves, a popular seasoning with a distinctively warm and sweetly pungent fragrance and flavor, are just one example of a spice with healing power. They come from the dried flower buds of a large evergreen tree grown in warm climates and have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that may help your body fight off infections and inflammation. The herbs and spices list introduces obscure offerings such as achiote, boswellia, chasteberry, damiana and epazote. Click on them to get a fascinating picture of what they can do to improve your diet and, as a result, your health. Plus, you'll have some valuable health information to pass along when the topic turns to optimizing your DNA, increasing beneficial gut bacteria or suppressing asthma symptoms. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Vitamins and Supplements: Best Ways to Get Them and What They Can DoIf you're not already aware of it, the best way to get the most nutrition is through eating actual food, such as vegetables, nuts and seeds containing the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients your body needs, not just for survival, but for vibrant, vigorous health. However, as I've stressed a number of times but will again because it's so important: Organic foods should be your primary source of nutrients whenever possible. In the packaged-food mentality of this fast-paced world, the foods you eat don't contain the nutrients they once did. Besides the depletion of the soil we used to rely on when growing food, there's the rampant use of toxic chemicals, pesticides and herbicides now lacing our foods, and faulty agricultural practices that either minimize or destroy what's left. For that reason, people take supplements to supply their bodies with what they cannot get through the foods they eat. That also goes for other means of acquiring them. An example is vitamin D, which is obtained not through food, but via either sun exposure or supplementation. Your risk of colds, flu and a number of more serious health problems may increase due to a D3 deficiency, as may your risk of cognitive decline and mental impairment.6 Deficiencies in other nutrients are also rising to catastrophic levels in the U.S. Magnesium is one, obtained through oily fish such as sardines and wild-caught Alaskan salmon, avocados, Swiss chard and nuts, especially cashews and Brazil nuts. Other common nutrient deficiencies are animal-based omega-3s, also obtained from oily fish; vitamin K2, available from dairy products such as certain cheeses, raw butter and kefir, as well as natto and fermented vegetables like sauerkraut. While supplements can be an ideal complement to the organic fruits, vegetables and other nutritious offerings you eat, they must be of high-quality. That said, you may be interested to know that many vitamins and herbal supplements are significantly safer than prescribed pharmaceuticals. The side effects alone listed on drug advertisements should give you pause, but staggering statistics reveal they kill more than 100,000 people every year. In addition, in July 2017, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said:
On my Vitamins and Supplements pages, you may find vital data about foods that can help alleviate symptoms or conditions you've struggled with for years. Bromelain is a good example. Found in pineapples, it improves your immunity.8 Choline, which supports nervous system function, can be acquired from grass fed beef or turkey livers, organic, pastured eggs and Brussels sprouts. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Herbal Oils: Where They Come From, Uses and BenefitsYou may have heard of eucalyptus oil, palm oil and frankincense oil, but what about the rejuvenating effects of rose absolute oil, tulsi oil from the "queen of herbs" and helichrysum oil, known for its skin moisturizing and wound-healing capabilities? On the page dedicated to herbal oils, you'll find these and many more descriptions of oils to help you maintain a healthy body weight and even promote weight loss. From A to Z, more than 100 oils are listed. You'll learn about vetiver oil, aka khus oil, known for its ability to impart a stabilizing, calming effect. With a smoky, earthy aroma, it's been used to promote sleep for centuries. Nearly all of the plant is utilized, but it's primarily the roots that contain the most potency, plus have antiseptic, antispasmodic, libido-enhancing and immune system-stimulating effects on your nervous system. You may have been using vanilla in your baking for years, but were you aware the essence comes from the minuscule seeds of long brown pods, or that the oil is associated with wound-healing, nausea relief and inflammation suppression? Check out the uses for peppermint oil (memory enhancement and anxiety relief), burdock oil (for shiny hair and joint pain) and yarrow oil (linked to relieving digestive problems and skin conditions). Oregano is very familiar as an ingredient in pizza or spaghetti sauce, but the fragrance and taste of oregano oil are derived from multiple compounds, including thymol, pinene and limonene, all linked to relief from urinary, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract disorders, as well as warding off insects. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Diseases: How to Treat Them; How to Help Combat ThemThis category covers numerous conditions, from eczema to fibromyalgia; hypoglycemia to sleep apnea; sciatica to pneumonia. While there are instances when even health conscious individuals find themselves struggling with illness, there's a lot of information out there that is incorrect and potentially harmful when people try wading through what's true and what isn't in the realm of health. That's why I created a directory of some of the most common illnesses, so that you could explore symptoms, causes and risk factors of illnesses that might be plaguing you, and most importantly, natural treatment and pain relief options. How you can protect yourself from these diseases is also a factor, and it's fair to say that a large portion of what you read here may contradict what mainstream medical practitioners may assert. Some diseases bear the names of the researchers who first detected them. Bell's palsy can be confused with stroke because both can cause facial paralysis, but the causes are different. Grave's disease affects your thyroid and people with autoimmune diseases are more prone to it. Crohn's disease is a chronic condition that causes unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms. Numerous factors can influence your health, but there are even more ways you can keep your body on the healthiest track possible. Click on any of the 80 diseases listed for more targeted information, or simply browse several through for more information in regard to symptoms and treatment. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Recipes: Combining the Power of Nutrition and TasteResearch-based evidence demonstrates the importance nutrition plays in healing and developing optimal health. However, if you’ve been using processed and packaged foods to prepare your meals, you may not know how quick and easy it is to use whole nutrient-dense food in your meal preparation. This is why Mercola Healthy Recipes was developed — to give you the tools to enjoy one of the most effective steps to achieve positive well-being. Your body runs on a powerhouse grid of mitochondria. But, a diet filled with sugar, flour and processed foods forces an excess of free radical generation and inflammation production during metabolism. Instead, embrace the easily-prepared, tasty combinations you’ll find in an extensive list of recipes. Each one is based on my Optimized Nutrition Plan and designed so you look forward to and enjoy the food your body needs to keep you energized, independent and healthy. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Bottom Line: Accessing Trusted Information on Natural HealthWhile they may not be discussed, navigating the Mercola.com site will help you find any number of other articles that touch on physical, mental or emotional health, recipes, fitness, medical statistics, current topics in the world of health and medicine, governmental regulations and aspects of modern life that may (and probably will) impact your health in time. The categories covered help illustrate the plethora of aspects to consider when you want to improve or maintain a body that's in good working order, free of disease and full of vital energy. To this end, arming yourself with information is one of the most proactive things you can do. As Hippocrates said, "Let food be your medicine and let medicine be your food." It really does make all the difference in your health and well-being. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/11/23/top-health-and-wellness-sites.aspx Whereas my book "Fat for Fuel" details how to implement a cyclical ketogenic diet, my latest book, cowritten with James DiNicolantonio, Pharm.D., "Superfuel: Ketogenic Keys to Unlock the Secrets of Good Fats, Bad Fats, and Great Health," delves further into the science of dietary fats, providing specifics on how to discriminate between healthy and harmful ones. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< The importance of this cannot be overstated, as fats are truly an extraordinary fuel for your body and brain, yet unhealthy fats can do more harm than excess sugar. Unfortunately, most doctors are still clueless about this, and the U.S. dietary guidelines are leading people in the complete opposite direction of health with regard to dietary fats. Hence, the incentive for writing "Superfuel," the release of which we celebrate today, just in time for Black Friday! Omega-3 — The Healthy Fat Most People Don't Get Enough OfOne of the most important fats in the human diet is marine-based omega-3. Unfortunately, in the past 100 years, our omega-6 intake has nearly tripled, largely due to misleading or outright incorrect marketing and government health campaigns, while our intake of omega-3 has decreased 10fold, causing a severe imbalance in our omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. Ideally, you want to maintain a 4-to-1 ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fats or less, which is nearly impossible if you're regularly eating processed foods or restaurant fare, as these are loaded with omega-6 from industrial vegetable oils like corn oil and canola oil. While you clearly need some omega-6s, they need to be unprocessed (think whole, raw plant seeds and tree nuts), and that cannot be said for most commercial vegetable oils. One of the most significant dangers of vegetable oils is that the damaged fats are integrated into your cell and mitochondrial membranes, and once these membranes are impaired, it sets the stage for all sorts of health problems. As just one example, explained by DiNicolantonio, the inner membrane of your mitochondria contains a component called cardiolipin, which needs to be saturated in the omega-3 fat docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in order to function properly. The DHA in cardiolipin can be likened to a cellular alarm system with its oxidation triggering programmed cell death (apoptosis) by signaling caspase-3 when something goes wrong with the cell. However, if the cardiolipin is not saturated with DHA, it cannot signal caspase-3, and apoptosis does not occur. As a result, dysfunctional cells continue to grow and may turn into a cancer cell. DHA Is Crucial for Your Brain; EPA for Your HeartIt's also crucial to realize that the marine-based omega-3 fats DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are not just fuel. These long-chained omega-3s are actually key structural elements of all cells, including your brain cells. If you don't have enough DHA and EPA, your body's ability to repair and maintain healthy cell structures is seriously impaired. DHA is particularly crucial for your brain. Not only does it stimulate Nrf21 (a transcription factor that regulates cellular oxidation and reduction, and aids in detoxification), it also increases heme oxygenase 12 (a protein produced in response to oxidative stress) and upregulates antioxidant enzymes. EPA, meanwhile, appears to be the most crucial component for your heart, and has been linked to a lower risk for heart disease. Most recently, a study3 involving a highly-processed form of EPA found it lowered cardiovascular health risks by 25 percent compared to a placebo, which is typically the kind of reduction you see with the use of statins. Perhaps one of the most important pieces of data from this trial is the dosage used. While most studies use doses around a single gram per day, the REDUCE-IT trial used a daily dose of 3 to 4 grams. The strong beneficial effect seen at this higher dosage confirms and supports health predictions made in "Superfuel," where we note that most people need far higher dosages than commonly recommended (although the only way to be sure is to measure your omega-3 blood level). As general guidance, however, you only need around 1 to 2 grams of omega-6 linoleic acid per day, ideally from plant seeds and tree nuts, whereas optimal levels of marine omega-3 fats are around 3 to 4 grams per day. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< Krill Oil, Phospholipids and Your BrainAs you probably know, small fatty fish such as anchovies, sardines and mackerel are excellent sources of EPA and DHA. Unfortunately, industrial processing practices render most fish oils far from ideal. This is a topic we examine at greater depth in "Superfuel." A summary of some of the key issues can also be found in my previous article, "Are Many Fish Oils Synthetic?" About half of all fish oil supplements also have problems with oxidation. When buying a fish oil supplement, I recommend looking for a product that tests the hydroperoxide levels, and has a level below 5 percent. An alternative source that bypasses these quality problems is krill oil. Aside from being far less prone to oxidation (courtesy of natural astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant with major health benefits of its own), the omega-3s in krill oil are also bound to phospholipids, and this gives krill oil distinct health advantages over fish oil, in which the DHA/EPA are bound to triglycerides. Fatty acids such as DHA and EPA are water insoluble and therefore cannot be transported in their free form in your blood, which is primarily water. They must be packaged into lipoprotein vehicles such as phospholipids. This is primarily why the bioavailability of krill oil is so much higher than fish oil. When you consume fish oil, your liver has to attach it to phosphatidylcholine in order for it to be efficiently utilized by your body and brain. Phospholipids are also one of the principal compounds in high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which you want more of, and by allowing your cells to maintain structural integrity, phospholipids help your cells function optimally. Importantly, your brain cannot readily absorb DHA unless it's bound to phosphatidylcholine, and while krill oil contains phosphatidylcholine naturally, fish oil does not. As the name implies, phosphatidylcholine is composed partly of choline, the precursor for the vital neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which sends nerve signals to your brain, and choline itself is crucial for brain development, learning and memory. These phospholipids are radically underappreciated and serve as one of the best dietary supplements of phosphatidylcholine, which is essential in detoxification for facilitating excretion out of the liver cells into the gallbladder for elimination in the intestine. Phospholipid-Bound DHA May Be Ideal for Those at High Risk for Alzheimer'sRecent research4 by Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D., also highlights the value of DHA bound to phospholipids, showing this form may actually reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in those with the apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) gene, which is thought to be present in about one-quarter of the population and lowers the typical age of onset of this degenerative brain disorder. Two hallmarks of Alzheimer's are amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles, both of which impair normal brain functioning. Alzheimer's patients also have reduced glucose transport into their brains, and this is one of the reasons why plaque and tangles form and accumulate in the first place. According to Patrick,5 DHA encourages your brain's uptake of glucose by regulating the structure and function of glucose transporters, proteins located at your blood-brain barrier. Curiously, while eating DHA-rich fish has been shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer's in APOE4 carriers, taking fish oil has not demonstrated the same efficacy. According to Patrick, this variation in response appears to be related to the different ways in which the two forms of DHA are metabolized and ultimately transported into your brain. When the triglyceride form of DHA is metabolized, most of it turns into nonesterified DHA, while the phospholipid form is metabolized primarily into DHA-lysophosphatidylcholine (DHA-lysoPC). While both of these forms can cross the blood-brain barrier to reach your brain, the phospholipid form does so far more efficiently. According to Patrick, people with APOE4 have a faulty nonesterified DHA transport system, and this may be why they're at increased risk for Alzheimer's. The good news is that DHA-lysoPC can bypass the tight junctions, thereby improving DHA transport, and for those with one or two APOE4 variants, taking the phospholipid form of DHA may therefore lower their risk of Alzheimer's more effectively. Vegetable Oils — A Bane to HealthWhile U.S. dietary guidelines still insist vegetable oils are your healthiest bet, this flies in the face of nutritional science, which clearly shows there are serious problems with these oils. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends you consume 5 to 10 percent of your calories as omega-6 from vegetable oils. Meanwhile, research6 shows that when you lower omega-6 linoleic acid from over 5 percent to about 3.5 percent, cardiovascular problems and mortality are reduced by a whopping 70 percent. In summary, processed vegetable oils (polyunsaturated fat) harm health by:
Take Control of Your Health by Eating the Right Kinds of FatsThis and much more is covered in "Superfuel: Ketogenic Keys to Unlock the Secrets of Good Fats, Bad Fats, and Great Health," which is available for shipping as of today. The book can also be ordered from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It's a great complement to "Fat for Fuel," and will help you clearly understand the benefits of these vitally important fats. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< The following list from Dr. Cate Shanahan, author of "Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food," also details some of the best and worst fats found in our modern diet. >>>>> Click Here <<<<< from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/11/23/superfuel.aspx November 22, Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., is an annual reminder to slow down, take stock and express thanks. Ideally, though, this practice — sans the extravagant multicourse meal — would be a daily one, as the emotion of gratitude has actually been scientifically confirmed to impart some pretty extraordinary health benefits. While the word "gratitude" can be interpreted in a number of ways depending on context,1 the clinical definition of gratitude is "The appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself; a general state of thankfulness and/or appreciation."2 In short, it's thankful appreciation for what you have received and/or everything you already have, whether it be tangible or intangible. It's a recognition of the good in life. The Many Benefits of GratitudeDr. P. Murali Doraiswamy,3 an expert in brain and mind health, once said,4 "If [thankfulness] were a drug, it would be the world's best-selling product with a health maintenance indication for every major organ system." Indeed, the fields of psychiatry and primary care are turning out to be tightly intertwined and overlapping,5 as studies have linked the practice of gratitude to:
Aside from its biological effects, gratitude also creates a benevolent ripple effect into other areas of your life, and has been shown to improve your:12,13,14,15
Studies23 have also demonstrated that gratitude exercises such as writing down what you're grateful for and paying-it-forward results in neural changes that create a positive feedback loop, increasing your ability to experience gratitude in the future. In other words, your sense of gratitude is strengthened through the feeling and doing of it. Gratitude Increases Joy and Builds Sustained HappinessAccording to the Harris Poll Happiness Index, only 1 in 3 Americans reports being "very happy." More than half say they're frustrated at or by work.24 Other research suggests nearly 1 in 4 experiences no life enjoyment at all.25 The good news is, small changes in perspective and/or behavior can add up, and practicing gratitude may be at the top of the list of strategies known to boost feelings of joy, ultimately leading to sustained, long-term happiness and life satisfaction. Gratitude is also neutrally linked with generosity,26,27 and as you'd suspect, generosity has been shown to augment happiness as well. If you're among those who could use a happiness boost, consider cultivating an attitude of gratitude — every day. A simple and proven way of doing this is to keep a gratitude journal, in which you document the things you're grateful for. In one study,28 participants who kept a gratitude diary and reflected on what they were grateful for just four times a week for three weeks improved their depression, stress and happiness scores. A few tips to consider as you journal:
For Well-Being, You Need Three Positive Emotions for Each Negative OneSeveral other gratitude-strengthening and happiness-boosting practices are listed in the section below. The key is consistency. Find a way to incorporate your chosen method into each week; ideally do it each day, and stick with it. Place a reminder note on your bathroom mirror if you need to, or schedule it into your calendar along with all of your other important to-do's. Remember, a key feature of gratitude and happiness is to take the time to acknowledge your positive emotions; don't minimize or suppress them. The benefit is in the actual experiencing of the emotion. According to Barbara Fredrickson, a psychologist and positive-emotions researcher, most Americans have two positive experiences for every negative one. Remarkably, this 2-to-1 positivity ratio is barely enough to keep you going. To actually flourish emotionally, Fredrickson's research29 shows you need a 3-to-1 ratio. This means you need three positive emotions for every negative. Practical Strategies to Strengthen Gratitude and Boost HappinessFollowing are a diverse array of practices, recommended by various experts and researchers, that can boost your gratitude (and happiness) quotient. You can also get more ideas from Robert Emmons' lecture above. Emmons, a professor of psychology at the University of California, is one of the leading scientific experts on gratitude who has written several books on the topic. For example, one of the things he discusses is the ability to receive. Many of us enjoy gift giving, but respond with anxiety or some other qualitatively negative emotion when we receive gifts. We may worry about the cost, feeling we don't deserve or really need something that expensive, and so on. So, remember, practicing gratitude involves joyous acceptance of the gift. If you like, conduct your own little experiment: Write down your current level of happiness and life satisfaction on a piece of paper or your annual calendar, using a rating system of zero to 10. Every three months or so (provided you've actually been doing your gratitude exercise), reevaluate and rerank yourself.
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/11/22/benefits-of-gratitude.aspx Recipe by Paleohacks[RS1]
With the holidays coming up, there’s no doubt your family will be serving mashed potatoes again. It’s a dietary staple during this festive time of the year, and there’s a chance that you’ll eat a little too much of it as well. But did you know that mashed potatoes can be unhealthy for you?
A 100-gram serving of potatoes contains 68 grams of carbs, and offers very little dietary fiber.[TNAS2] This is way too many carbohydrates than you should normally eat in a single day. I regularly encourage people to limit their carb consumption to just 50 grams[TNAS3] a day from all sources, including fruits and vegetables. Carbs, when digested, turn into sugar that can cause metabolic complications in the long run.
If you still want to enjoy mashed potatoes, you need to look for healthier alternatives — namely, taking out the potatoes themselves. These three easy-to-cook recipes from Paleohacks will satisfy your “mashed” cravings without sacrificing your health during the holidays. If you want to learn more healthy recipes, Paleohacks has more to offer here.
Rutabaga[TNAS6] Is a Vegetable You Must Try
Known as “swede” around the world, rutabaga belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family, making it a potent nutrient powerhouse. It is part white and part purple, with a creamy orange flesh and a nutty, turnip-like flavor. Aside from being mashed, rutabaga can be baked, fried, boiled or added to salads. The most notable thing about rutabaga, however, is its health benefits.
To start, rutabaga is low in carbohydrates, with a 100-gram serving providing only 8.1 grams.[1] This makes it considerably healthier than potatoes, which have a high glycemic load that can cause rapid spikes in your blood sugar levels.[2] Another notable thing about this vegetable is in the same serving, it contains 25 milligrams of vitamin C, an important nutrient essential for many biological functions such as managing blood pressure levels,[3] lowering the risk of heart disease[4] and significantly boosting iron absorption.[5]
Rutabaga also contains the following nutrients that offer various benefits:[6] · Potassium — This nutrient has been shown to help reduce blood pressure in adults.[7] · Phosphorus — Increased phosphorus intake may help lower the risk of hypertension.[8] · Magnesium — Intake of this mineral may help manage inflammation better.[9],[10]
Cauliflower Packs a Lot of Power[TNAS7]
Similar to rutabaga, cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable, and is commonly stir-fried, roasted or pickled. Being a crucifer, cauliflower is one of the best health food choices you can make. Research has found that this vegetable may help:
· Lower your risk of cancer — Cruciferous vegetables contain a mixture of antioxidants that have chemopreventive benefits against colorectum, lung, prostate and breast cancers.[11],[12],[13] · Promote digestive health — A single cup of cauliflower contains 2.1 grams of dietary fiber,[14] which is essential in promoting regular bowel movement, proper appetite control, stable glycemic control and prebiotic growth in your stomach.[15] · Boost choline intake — Cauliflower is rich in choline, an important nutrient important to maintaining various biological processes.[16] One study found that choline plays a role in lowering the risk of neural tube defects in pregnant women, lowering the risk of heart disease and managing inflammation.[17]
If you want to try another version of cauliflower “mashed potatoes,” try my recipe here[TNAS8] . It uses different ingredients, which open up a completely new world of flavors for you to enjoy. Butternut Squash Can Be a Great Alternative to Potatoes
Another vegetable that can work great as a healthy substitute for potatoes is butternut squash, thanks to its creamy and soft flesh. Mashing it gives a new twist to how you eat it, since it is often baked, sautéed or steamed.[18]
Another notable thing about butternut squash is that it has certain health benefits that will definitely catch your attention. This vegetable is high in antioxidants, which can help neutralize dangerous free radicals throughout your body.[19] Another study has found that the winter squash family (the one that butternut squash belongs to) can help boost the immune system thanks to its beta-carotene content.[20] Butternut squash may also reduce the risk of cancer, as evidenced in a study published in Cell Research.[21]
Make Your Mashed ‘Potatoes’ Healthier and Tastier by Adding Keto Gravy
Instead of consuming the usual mashed potatoes during the holidays, expand your horizons by trying out the three alternatives outlined above. I guarantee that these will be just as good, if not better, than regular mashed potatoes. To make them even healthier and tastier, pour some homemade keto gravy [TNAS9] over them to produce fat-burning ketones that your body will surely appreciate. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/11/22/mashed-potato-alternatives.aspx Obesity is defined by a marked accumulation of excess fat. Generally, those suffering from obesity are at higher risk for developing potentially life-threatening complications and chronic diseases. Recent statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate more than 630,000 people were diagnosed with obesity related-cancer in the U.S. alone.1 Although the terms overweight and obese are often used interchangeably, they do not have the same meaning. The body mass index (BMI) classification lists overweight as having a BMI between 25 and 29.9, and obesity with a BMI greater than 30. Nearly 40 percent of adults in the U.S. are obese, not just overweight.2 These rising numbers are alarming as the condition is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancer. An increased load on your joints may also have a detrimental effect on your knees, hips and hands. These are areas most affected by osteoarthritis (OA) and used repeatedly in performing a task or playing sports. Obesity, inactivity, increasing age, muscle weakness and poor posture are all risk factors associated with the development of OA. Recent research demonstrates the inflammation and pain associated with OA may also be related to poor gut health.3 Healing Your Gut May Reduce Joint DamageArthritis and joint pain is common in individuals who are overweight or obese. Researchers now find bodywide inflammation driven by your gut microbiome maybe a root cause for the pain associated with OA.4 Fundamentally, this may be caused by an unbalanced diet, which subsequently imbalances your gut microbiome. The connection between your gut and obesity-associated OA was examined by researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center using an animal model. At 5 weeks of age, half the mice were given access to a low-fat diet and the other half to a high-fat diet. Those on the high-fat diet gained more weight and became obese. On a side note, I want to stress that diets high in healthy fats are not associated with weight gain provided they’re low in net carbohydrates. The theory that low-fat diets promote weight loss or less weight gain has been soundly disproven, as discussed in numerous previous articles, such as "Fat Versus Carbs — Higher Amounts of Dietary Fat Actually Improve Your Metabolic Health." Research has also demonstrated that diets high in healthy fats, i.e., a ketogenic diet, actually improves the gut microbiome. On the other hand, research has confirmed that obese individuals have greater amounts of harmful gut bacteria than lean individuals, and this is precisely what they found in this study as well. The researchers were able to alter the microbiome of the obese mice using oligofructose, a prebiotic supplement, which subsequently reduced the inflammation and completely reversed the OA symptoms. The prebiotic made the gut microbiome and joints of the obese mice indistinguishable from the lean mice, leading the researchers to conclude prebiotics may have a place in the treatment of OA in obese individuals. They explained their findings, saying:5
Bifidobacteria Lacking in Gut of Obese MiceThe researchers were surprised to find the effects of obesity on gut bacteria, inflammation and OA were prevented when the high-fat diet was supplemented with oligofructose. Colonies of Bifidobacteria grew and crowded out proinflammatory bacteria. In turn, this decreased systemic inflammation and slowed cartilage breakdown.6 However, while oligofructose reduced insulin resistance in the obese mice, it did not change their body weight. The joints continued to bear the same load, but appeared healthier and without as much degeneration. The researchers believe this supports the hypothesis that inflammation, not biomechanical forces, trigger OA and joint degeneration. The researchers are now collaborating with those at the Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate veterans who have obesity-related OA to further identify connections between gut microbiome and joint health.7 What Is Oligofructose?Researchers used oligofructose as the prebiotic to impact the gut microbiome of the obese mice. Oligofructose is a subgroup of inulin, a soluble fiber from plant material made of fructose molecules linked together in such a way they can’t be digested.8 Prebiotics are the food required by many of the microorganisms living in your gut. They support digestive health by nourishing beneficial bacteria, which in turn convert inulin and oligofructose into short-chain fatty acids that nourish your colon cells and provide a variety of other health benefits.9 Neither oligofructose nor inulin are digested in the upper gastrointestinal tract and have very little caloric value. However, both stimulate the growth of intestinal Bifidobacteria, a key beneficial bacterial player in your microbiome.10 Natural sources of inulin can be found in asparagus, chicory root, garlic, jicama and onions. Oligofructose is made by removing a longer molecule from inulin and is also known as fructooligosaccharide, an insoluble fiber. While inulin is a relatively flavorless fiber, oligofructose is slightly sweet. The product is 30 percent to 50 percent as sweet as sucrose.11 While used as a fiber supplement, its best known nutritional effect is the action to stimulate Bifidobacteria growth in the intestines. Human studies have demonstrated dramatic positive shifts in the composition of microflora at supplemental doses of between 5 and 20 grams of inulin or oligofructose per day for 15 days.12 Osteoarthritis Unlikely Due to Wear and TearIn a study13,14 evaluating the remains of over 2,500 people spanning more than 6,000 years, researchers analyzed large joints at the hip and knees for OA-related changes. This collected data was then combined with information from other research teams, covering prehistoric times, early industrial times and the modern postindustrial era. According to senior study author Daniel Lieberman, Ph.D., a paleontologist and professor of biological sciences at Harvard University, "Using careful statistical methods, we are able to say that if you were born after World War II you have approximately twice the likelihood of getting knee OA at a given age or BMI than if you were born earlier."15 The researchers were not able to account for this rise based on an increase in life expectancy or the meteoric rise in obesity.16 Even after controlling for age and BMI, they found a significant increase in the number who suffered from OA. They evaluated remains from individuals over the age of 50, analyzing over 1,500 who died between 1905 and 1940, and an additional 819 who died between 1976 and 2015. OA in the knee was 2.5 times more common if you were born in the post-industrial age than if you were born in the late 1800s. They also found the rate of having OA in both knees in the postindustrial era was 1.4 times higher than in the preindustrial era.17 The researchers were only able to theorize about the lifestyle differences that may have created such a variability in their results. Lieberman speculates that one of the primary factors may be inactivity. Based on the results of his team’s analysis, he posits:18
Lack of Activity Affects Joint Strength and Gut HealthThe increase in joint degeneration in sedentary individuals may be triggered by weaker leg muscles and cartilage, causing the joint to break down more quickly than expected. Lieberman now believes OA may be added to the list of health conditions for which you're at greater risk when you spend hours sitting. In previous animal and human experiments, researchers have also found that physical activity, independent of diet, alters the composition of your gut microbiome.19 The results demonstrated exercise was associated with an increase in the production of short-chain fatty acids that are beneficial for colon health. In one animal study, researchers were surprised to find mice that exercised experienced a reduction in inflammation and an increase in the regenerative molecules when a chemical that triggers inflammation of the colon was injected.20 Based on these findings, they concluded that exercise-induced modifications in the gut microbiome could mediate interactions with potentially beneficial outcomes. In other words, inactivity may trigger OA both because muscles and tendons weaken and don't support the large joints, and as inactivity does not support a strong gut microbiome and thus increases the inflammatory response. Balancing Omega Fats May Reduce SymptomsAnother factor important in the development of damaged cartilage is a deficiency of omega-3 fats. Animal models using arthritis-prone guinea pigs have demonstrated diets high in omega-3 not only help prevent the condition, but may also reduce the symptoms in those already affected.21 In other human experiments, there was a reduction in inflammation and symptoms when animal-based omega-3 supplement krill oil was administered.22 Both animal and plants may contain omega-3 fats, but only animal-based sources provide the omega-3 fats eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are crucial components of all cells in your body. As general guidance, you only need around 1 to 2 grams of omega-6 linoleic acid per day, ideally from plant seeds and tree nuts, whereas optimal levels of marine omega-3 fats are around 3 to 4 grams per day. However, a standard Western diet often provides far more omega-6 fats than omega-3s. The easiest way to balance these two fats is to limit processed foods and add more foods rich in animal-based omega-3 such as anchovies, sardines, herring and wild caught Alaskan salmon. I also recommend getting an omega-3 index test on an annual basis to ensure you're not deficient. For optimal health, your index should be over 8 percent. Benefits of a Strong Gut MicrobiomeBalancing your gut microbiome is important to your mental and physical health. Your microbiome profile is impacted by the foods you eat, your environment and exercise. Other factors that change your gut health include stress, exposure to antibiotics and other drugs and alcohol consumption.23 Aging is the only factor impacting your gut over which you have no control. Your gut health can impact everything from your energy level and cognitive function to muscle strength and immunity.24 A healthy gut microbiome can even impact the way you age. While an overabundance of some bacteria have been linked to disease, others appear to actively be involved in preventing disease states.25 Your gut microbiome has an influence on reducing inflammation and may be an underlying factor in the initiation and progression of some cancers.26 Your gut bacteria may also help improve the effectiveness of treatment for cancer by activating your immune system and allowing it to function more efficiently. As mentioned earlier, research has also linked certain gut bacteria to an increased risk of obesity. By eradicating four species of bacteria in lab animals, researchers were able to trigger metabolic changes that led to obesity.27 The foods known to produce metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance, such as processed foods, fructose, sugar and artificial sweeteners, also decimate beneficial gut bacteria and may be the mechanism by which these foods promote weight gain. Exposure to chemicals found in foods may also alter gut microbiome and contribute to the development of metabolic dysfunction and weight gain.28 Seek Out Natural Pain ReliefAs the featured study demonstrates, your gut microbiome plays a significant role in the inflammatory process in your body, contributing to pain and discomfort. Taking care of your gut through appropriate dietary measures to reduce inflammation and support your microbiome helps provide natural pain relief. Consider the strategies discussed in my previous article, "How to Develop a New Gut for the New Year." It is possible to manage OA with natural supplements and achieving a healthy gut before turning to pharmaceutical choices that may do far more harm than good in the long run. Aside from addressing your gut health — which is a more long-term strategy — the following can also help control the pain associated with OA:
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/11/21/obesity-can-cause-arthritis.aspx The repercussions associated with daylight saving time (DST) are significant and prompted the placement of California Proposition 7 on the ballot in this year's midterm election. Nearly 60 percent voted in favor to leave the state in daylight saving time all year.1 This begins laying the groundwork to give the California legislature the ability to change their clocks permanently. This is similar to a movement in August by the European Union (EU) when it announced it recommends member states stop using DST, or “summer time,” as it's known in the EU.2 While the European commission president Jean-Claude Juncker believes countries should make their own decisions, he cited a recent poll suggesting more than 80 percent of EU citizens no longer want a time change every spring and fall.3 History of ‘Fast Time’The practice of moving the clock an hour ahead in the summer and back in the fall was initiated during World War I in the hope it would save energy, and has more to do with international conflicts and industry than with accommodating farmers. When it was initially introduced in the U.S. in 1918 it was called “fast time.”4 The bill was signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson in an effort to support the war, and following the initiation of the same time change in Germany in 1916. The law was subsequently repealed after the war ended, and then reinstated during World War II. Three weeks after World War II ended, the law was again repealed. This essentially threw the U.S. into a state of confusion, as state and local governments could start and stop DST as they pleased. In 1963, Time magazine called this a “chaos of clocks.”5 It wasn't until 1966, nearly 20 years later, that order was restored with the Uniform Time Act.6 The act standardized when DST would begin and end and gave states the option to remain on standard time year-round. Hawaii and Arizona opted out and remained on standard time. In 2016, California passed a near-unanimous resolution to eventually change DST after failing to pass legislation.7 Although the Uniform Time Act gave some structure to how clocks are set in the U.S.., it did not stop Congress from initiating changes. In 1973, Congress determined DST should be observed all year.8 Then in 1974, the clocks were again moving forward in the spring and falling back an hour in the fall. It wasn't until 1986 that the time officially changed at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October. In 2005, Congress moved the fall date to the first Sunday in November in response to prodding from sugar lobbyists who wanted more daylight in the evening hours to accommodate trick or treaters on Halloween night.9 The current times and dates for change have been in effect since 2007. DST starts on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday in November.10 DST Does Not Reduce Energy UseThe original intention of saving energy by extending daylight hours during the summer months may actually have had the opposite effect. Although lighting had been a significant portion of energy consumption during World War I and World War II, it has become a much smaller part. Extending daylight hours also encourages greater use of air conditioning and heating. In 2008, the Department of Energy found an almost imperceptible reduction in usage per day since the 2005 extension to include Halloween.11 A study by Yale economist Matthew Kotchen and Laura Grant, Ph.D., discovered homes and businesses in Indiana counties observing DST experienced an increase of up to 4 percent of electricity when DST was in effect.12 In another analysis of 44 different papers, researchers found that, on average, the policy helped save a mere 0.34 percent of electricity use.13 Locations further from the equator, with mild summers and low cooling demands, may save energy, but geographical locations closer actually used more energy during DST. Kotchen notes when DST begins in the spring, people are waking during the coldest and darkest part of the day, often turning up the heat to stay warm, and during long evening hours, more air conditioning is used, leading to an overall higher energy use. Kotchen determined that turning the clocks forward increased residential electricity demand and cost those in Indiana an extra $9 million per year, increasing emissions and impacting the environment. He notes:14 “The way people use energy now is different from when daylight saving came about.” Increasing Traffic Accidents and Heart AttacksThe biannual clock changes also have an impact on your physical health. Researchers have noticed a statistically significant increase in the number of car accidents, workplace injuries and heart attacks in the days after the time changes in the spring. This might be related to the loss of sleep, or may have deeper biological roots in your circadian rhythms. A University of Alabama study15 found the number of heart attacks increased by 10 percent on the Monday and Tuesday following the time change to DST in the spring. Interestingly, the number also decreased by 10 percent on the first Monday and Tuesday after the clocks are switched back in the fall. Cardiac events are more commonplace every Monday, greater than any other day of the week, and are likely related to changes in sleep associated with the transition from weekend to workday. This is known as the “Monday cardiac phenomenon.”16 On the Monday and Tuesday following spring DST, the risk is even more pronounced.17 An earlier Swedish study18 discovered your chances of having a heart attack increase in the first three weekdays after the switch to DST, and similarly decrease when the clock is set back in the fall. Researchers compared the number of admissions on the weeks before and the Monday after DST for four consecutive years using a Michigan hospital database.19 On average there were 32 heart attacks on any given Monday, but on the Monday immediately after DST there were an average of eight additional heart attacks, suggesting to the researchers those who are already vulnerable to heart disease may be at greater risk immediately after a sudden time change. Research data have also found road accidents increase in the first two days following DST, as do falls.20 Additionally, fatal alcohol-related traffic accidents increase for the first week after setting the clocks ahead21 and 67.6 percent more work days are lost as a result of injuries following the change to DST.22 Suicide rates for men also rise in the weeks following DST.23 Circadian Rhythms and Judgment Adversely Affected by DSTOnce DST is implemented, productivity and quality of life scores drop. Till Roenneberg, a Russian chronobiologist, reports that most people show "drastically decreased productivity," decreased quality of life, increased illness, and are "just plain tired"24 in the week after DST in the spring. Disruptions in your sleep pattern tend to cascade throughout your entire body. For instance, sleep helps reset your neural circuits that are impaired during sleep deprivation. With too little sleep, your cognitive flexibility suffers. Research from the University of Washington found cognitive inflexibility effects even judges who are handing down sentences. On the Monday after DST in the spring, longer sentences are imposed on people who have been found guilty.25 A similar negative effect has been found in students. Researchers compared 10 years of SAT scores from Indiana where only 15 of the state's 92 counties moved their clocks forward during the study period. The data indicated an average 16-point drop in scores when students were tested after the clocks changed in the spring.26 The researchers extrapolated this data, finding the difference in SAT scores may equate to an economic loss of over $1.2 billion annually. In similar findings, researchers concluded DST adversely affected sleep patterns of high school students and their ability to be vigilant at school.27 Note: One reason Indiana is used as a discussion model for DST is because it lies smack-dab between Central and Eastern time zones. Geographically, it’s actually in the Central zone, but in 2006 it adopted the standardized DST to align with Eastern Standard Time changes. The decision has been controversial in Indiana, where the western part of the state wants to align with the Central zone, while the eastern part favors aligning with Ohio’s Eastern zone.28,29 Increasing Financial and Health Costs From DSTFinancial losses are also felt in the stock market. An analysis published in the American Economic Review30 revealed an impact on the function of the financial markets each time the clocks changed. The scientists found desynchronized sleep was a reasonable explanation for the effect on the market that happened on the two weekends when the time changes, different from other Mondays. They said:31
Employers also suffer a significant loss in productivity. In an evaluation of how individuals were using internet access on the day following the time change, researchers examined search patterns over six years in over 200 American metro areas.32 On the Monday immediately following the time change they found an increase in searches for entertainment or related categories greater than on the Mondays before and after. They concluded, as much of this was conducted during work hours, misused internet access — called cyberloafing — was reducing productivity in workers. Based on findings from this study, and another demonstrating an increased incidence of heart attacks, economist estimated the annual cost to the American economy each spring in lost productivity and health care was nearly $434 million.33 Keeping DST all year may also result in a reduction in crime rates. Researchers discovered that when the clocks are turned back an hour in the fall, crime rates rise. Most crime occurs between 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. With greater ambient lighting, criminals may have a more difficult time targeting victims.34 The researchers estimate that if DST were to remain in effect during the entire year, it could result in a $59 million annual social cost savings from robberies avoided. Since different countries change their times on different days, the airline industry estimates DST costs them an average of $147 million a year.35 Tips to Protect Your Health During DSTIn addition to the strong recommendation of getting eight hours of sleep on a consistent basis, there are some other things you can do to mitigate the effects of the time change until the powers that be decide to get rid of it. University of Alabama associate professor Martin Young suggests the following natural strategies to help your body resync after the time change:36
To those recommendations, I would add:
Last but not least, to encourage your legislature to change DST, consider signing a petition to your Congresspersons and getting involved in your state to pass a resolution. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/11/21/daylight-saving-time-health-risks.aspx Opioid a Thousand Times More Potent Than Morphine Is Approved at Height of Opioid Addiction Crisis11/20/2018 An estimated 202,600 Americans died from opioid overdoses between 2002 and 2015,1 and drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 50.2 Despite all the public warnings and national efforts to rein in this lethal trend, overdose cases admitted into emergency rooms still increased by more than 30 percent across the U.S. between July 2016 and September 2017,3 and provisional data suggests the death toll from opioids was around 49,000 in 2017,4 up from 42,250 in 2016.5 Aside from the staggering death toll, addiction to narcotic pain relievers also places an enormous economic burden on society, costing the U.S. an estimated $504 billion each year (2.8 percent of gross domestic product), according to a November 2017 White House report.6,7 Food and Drug Administration Approves Most Potent Opioid YetDespite the fact we’re not seeing any evidence of reversal of this burgeoning epidemic, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the most potent synthetic opioid painkiller to date, called Dsuvia (sufentanil),8,9 — a drug 1,000 times stronger than morphine, 50 times more potent than heroin and 10 times stronger than the synthetic opioid fentanyl.10,11 FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb commented on the decision in a November 2, 2018, written statement:12
Dsuvia Approval Is a Reckless Move, Critics SayCritics, however, say Dsuvia is completely unnecessary, and that its potency renders it a target for misuse and/or illegal sale13 — two key problems that currently plague most narcotic pain relievers. Sen. Ed Markey, (D-MA), urged the FDA to deny approval for Dsuvia in October, saying,14 “An opioid that is a thousand times more powerful than morphine is a thousand times more likely to be abused, and a thousand times more likely to kill.” Drug prevention and treatment experts in New Jersey agree. Angelo Valente, executive director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, told a local news station,15 “There’s no question that we are extremely concerned that a drug of that kind of magnitude can wind up in the wrong hands … we don’t understand why this particular type of drug is even necessary.” Don Parker, president of the Carrier Clinic,16 a New Jersey-based addiction treatment facility, also predicts trouble. “We think there will be a frenzy for this because it promises a much stronger high,” he says.17 He also notes that since Dsuvia is a synthetic opioid, it won’t be long before producers of illicit drugs have deconstructed it and are able to reproduce it, and due to its extreme potency and therefore tiny size, tablets can be easily transported and distributed. Indeed, we’ve already seen this with fentanyl, which is flooding into the U.S. via regular mail. A single standard envelope can hold enough fentanyl to get 50,000 people high, and synthetic opioids alone killed 27,000 Americans in 2017, up from 5,500 in 2014.18 (The total death toll for opioids was around 49,000 according to provisional data for 2017,19 up from 42,250 in 2016.20) The potency of the drug also makes it resistant to naloxone, used to reverse opioid overdoses. Several doses typically need to be administered in case of a fentanyl overdose, and many still die.21 A Dsuvia overdose, being 100 times more potent than fentanyl, may prove impossible to reverse. Dr. Sidney Wolfe, senior adviser to Public Citizen's Health Research Group, also expressed concerns, saying:22
What’s so Special About Dsuvia?The maker of Dsuvia, AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, dismisses such critique, saying the drug is for acute pain use in a medical setting only, and will not be dispensed through pharmacies. For this reason, “It will not contribute to the large outpatient opioid crisis,” Dr. Pamela Palmer, cofounder of AcelRx, says.23 The drug is expected to be available in hospitals by the beginning of next year, and annual sales are projected to hit $1.1 billion. As reported by NPR:24
Strong Opponents Were Excluded From FDA VoteCritics also note it appears the FDA excluded people who may have raised strong objections, including the chairman of the FDA’s Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug Products Advisory Committee, Dr. Raeford Brown, an anesthesiologist at the University of Kentucky. Brown had informed the FDA about a scheduling conflict months prior to the October 12 hearing on Dsuvia, yet the agency decided to hold the meeting anyway, without him. Brown told NPR,25 “I have strong feelings about the opioid crisis … My forthright nature may have played a role in their decision about how the agency was going to manage this advisory committee." The Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee also did not attend the discussions. According to an FDA spokesperson, the drug safety committee was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict, but according to Brown, “That's not the full story.” In a statement, Brown expressed his dismay:26
Nonopioid Pain Relievers Work Just as Well as Opioids for Acute PainIn the end, time will tell whether Dsuvia truly serves an important niche need, and whether it will end up being grossly misused like most other opioids. Historically, it doesn’t look promising. It’s also worth noting that recent research has again concluded that opioid-free options often work just as well as narcotic pain relievers for acute pain. Granted, Dsuvia is extraordinarily potent, but according to the company’s own studies, it can take anywhere from 54 to 78 minutes for the drug to provide “meaningful” pain relief.27 A recent study28 published in JAMA evaluated the effects of four different combinations of pain relievers — three with different opioids and one opioid-free option composed of ibuprofen (i.e., Advil) and acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol) — on people with moderate to severe pain in an extremity due to bone fractures, shoulder dislocation and other injuries. The patients had an average pain score of 8.7 (on a scale of zero to 10) when they arrived. Two hours later, after receiving one of the pain relief combinations, their pain levels decreased similarly, regardless of which drug-combo they received. Speaking to Vox, the study's lead author, Dr. Andrew Chang of the department of emergency medicine at Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, said,29 "Some (not all) physicians reflexively think fractures require opioids, but this study lends evidence that opioids are not always necessary even in the presence of fractures." OxyContin Maker Profits From Patented Opioid Addiction TreatmentAs discussed in several previous articles, the massive increase in opioid sales and subsequent addiction rates have been traced back to an orchestrated marketing scheme aimed at misinforming doctors about the drug’s addictive potential. Purdue Pharma, owned by the Sackler family, was one of the most successful in this regard, driving sales of OxyContin up from $48 million in 1996 to $1.5 billion in 2002. Purdue’s sales representatives were extensively coached on how to downplay the drug’s addictive potential, claiming addiction was occurring in less than 1 percent of patients being treated for pain. Studies now show addiction actually affects about 26 percent of those using opioids for chronic noncancer pain, and 1 in 550 patients on opioid therapy dies from opioid-related causes within 2.5 years of their first prescription.30 Purdue ended up being fined $634 million in 2007 for misbranding “with intent to defraud and mislead the public,”31 but the Sackler family has not given up on profiting from the “disease” they helped manufacture. Quite the contrary. In January 2018, Dr. Richard Sackler — who, according to Esquire journalist Christopher Glazek,32 was deeply involved in the marketing of OxyContin as head of the company’s research and development, sales and marketing divisions — was awarded a patent for a new, faster-dissolving form of buprenorphine, a mild opioid drug used in the treatment of opioid addiction. As noted by STAT News:33
Sackler Family Has Also Been Secretly Profiting From Generic Opioids for Over a DecadeBut that’s not all. The Sacklers have already profited from addiction in more ways than one for over a decade. As reported by Financial Times34 and the New York Post,35 the Sackler family also secretly owns Rhodes Pharma, “one of the biggest producers of generic opioids, which had never before been linked to the family.” What’s more, this company was launched just four months after Purdue Pharma’s guilty plea back in 2007. When combined, Purdue Pharma and Rhodes Pharma account for about 6 percent of the total opioid market in the U.S. So, “not only did the Sacklers fail to scale back its marketing of OxyContin after the plea, they further cashed in on the pill crisis — by launching the second firm and selling more of the drug under a different name,” the New York Post writes, adding:
Little Is Known About How to Safely Wean Off Opioids When You’re in Chronic PainDespite years of growing opioid abuse, there’s very little research on how to effectively wean off these drugs when you have chronic pain.36 One scientific review,37 which included 67 studies on tapering opioids for pain patients found only three of the studies to be of high quality; 13 were found to be of “fair” quality, while the rest were weak. Dr. Stefan Kertesz, an addiction expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, told Scientific American38 that “Forced tapers can destabilize patients,” and may trigger distress and suicide. While scant, the available evidence does suggest tapering off the drugs improves both pain and quality of life. In one pilot study39 51 of 68 chronic pain patients successfully completed the four-month program, cutting their opioid dosages nearly in half — without increasing their pain. One of the keys to success was a very slow and gradual reduction in the dose during the first month. Another study40 evaluating the success rate of Toronto General Hospital’s Transitional Pain Program found nearly half of those who had not used opioids prior to surgery successfully weaned themselves off the drugs. Among those who had already used opioids prior to surgery, 1 in 4 was successful. As reported by Science Daily:41
Guidance for Opioid WeaningGuidance on opioid tapering published in the March/April issue of the Canadian Pharmacists Journal includes the following highlights:42 • Adult patients with chronic noncancer pain who are on a 90-milligram (mg) morphine equivalent dose daily or greater should consider opioid tapering to the lowest effective dose and discontinue use if possible. Gradually reduce 5 to 10 percent of the morphine-equivalent dose every two to four weeks, with frequent follow-up. If on an immediate-release opioid, switch to an extended-release version on a fixed schedule • Other reasons to consider tapering include lack of improvement in pain and/or function, nonadherence to the treatment plan, signs of addiction, serious opioid-related adverse effects or patient request • Prescribers are urged to collaborate with pharmacists to support and monitor patients during opioid tapering • A multidisciplinary approach is associated with success in weaning patients off opioids • Benefits of tapering include relief of withdrawal symptoms (e.g., pain, sweating or anxiety), reduction in opioid adverse effects and improvements in overall function and quality of life The Guideline urges physicians to discuss tapering with their patients, and to “prepare them by optimizing nonopioid therapy as appropriate for their pain and comorbidities.” This includes the use of acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gabapentinoids43 and cannabinoids, just to name a few. In the end, considering the steep risks involved,44 the less you expose yourself to opioids, the better. Opioid addiction is very serious, and can occur much faster than you might suspect. So, when at all possible, exhaust other options before resorting for a narcotic pain reliever, and make every effort to get off it as soon as possible. For a list of suggestions for how to relieve pain without resorting to opioids, see “Do We Really Need Opioids for Pain?” from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/11/21/most-potent-opioid.aspx As a lover of technology, it pains me to see what technological advancements are doing to our youth. In a previous article for The Atlantic,1 Jean Twenge takes a deep dive into how smartphones, with 24/7 access to internet and social media, are affecting post-millennials’ mental health. The article, which is well worth reading in its entirety, is adapted from Twenge’s book “iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy — and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood — and What That Means for the Rest of Us.” Children today cannot even fathom a life pre-internet — a life where school work involved visits to libraries and phone calls required you to stay in one spot, since the telephone was attached to the wall. Kids spend an inordinate amount of time on their smartphones, communicating with friends (and possibly strangers) via text, Twitter and Facebook, and work to keep up their Snapstreaks on Snapchat. Even toddlers are proficient in navigating their way around a wireless tablet these days. Twenge discusses the online habits of Athena, a 13-year-old Texan, saying:
Rise of the iGenerationTwenge, who has studied generational differences for two and a half decades, notes that a generation typically becomes defined by changes in beliefs and behaviors that gradually and naturally arise along a more or less natural continuum. The post-millennial generation, however, is radically different. Twenge notes “abrupt shifts in teen behavior and emotional states” emerged suddenly around 2012. Millennials, distinguished by a pronounced individualistic streak, stand in sharp contrast to those following, in whom the drive for independence and individualism has virtually vanished.
Today’s Teens — Physically Safer but Psychologically VulnerableAccording to Twenge, the social impact of smartphones and tablets “has not been fully appreciated, and goes far beyond the usual concerns about curtailed attention spans.” Perhaps most importantly, smartphones have changed the way teens interact socially, and this has significant ramifications for their psychological health. Teens today are far less likely to want to get a driver’s license than previous generations, and a majority of their social life is carried out in the solitude of their bedroom, via their smartphones. As of 2015, 12th-graders spent less time “hanging out” and socializing with friends than eighth-graders did in 2009. While this makes them physically safer than any previous generation, this kind of isolation does not bode well for mental health and the building of social skills required for work and personal relationships. In fact, today’s teens are also far less prone to date than previous generations. In 2015, 56 percent of high school seniors dated, nearly 30 percent less than boomers and Gen Xers. Not surprisingly, sexual activity has also declined — down by about 40 percent since 1991, resulting in a 67 percent drop in teen pregnancy rates. Avoiding the drama and heartbreak of those early love experiences has not had a positive effect on emotional health, however. Rates of teen depression and suicide have dramatically risen since 2011, and data suggest spending three hours or more each day on electronic devices raises a teen’s suicide risk by 35 percent. Between 2007 and 2015, the suicide rate for 12- to 14-year-old girls rose threefold — a gender trend that can in part be blamed on a rise in cyberbullying, which is more common among girls. The suicide rate among boys doubled in that same time frame.
Depression Risk Rises in Tandem With Increased Screen TimeData from the annual Monitoring the Future survey reveals the more time teens spend online, the unhappier they are, and those who spend more time than average on in-person relations and activities that do not involve their smartphone are far more likely to report being “happy.” Results such as these really should come as no surprise. Spending time outdoors has been scientifically shown to dramatically improve people’s mood and significantly reduce symptoms of depression.2 Interestingly, it doesn’t matter what type of screen activity is involved. They’re all equally likely to cause psychological distress. Between 2012 and 2015, depressive symptoms among boys rose by 21 percent. Among girls, the rise during that same time was a whopping 50 percent — a truly remarkable increase in just three years’ time.
Many Teens Exhibit Compulsive Obsession With Their SmartphoneMany, both children and adults, are also exhibiting signs of addiction to their electronic devices. Remarkably, many even sleep with their smartphones right next to them in bed, or directly under their pillow — a trend that is bound to cause severe harm to both their mental and physical health. The radiation alone is a significant hazard and is known to disrupt sleep, but the blue light from the screen, plus the beeping and pinging when messages and other notifications come in are bound to interrupt sleep as well. This does not even factor in the influence of cellphone microwaves influencing melatonin, which regulates your sleep-wake cycle. When your melatonin production is disrupted, it can have long-term health effects, as shown in a 2013 study3 in which the U.S. government collaborated with the Egyptian Foreign Ministry to assess the effects of cellphone radiation on the central nervous system. They found that exposure to cellphone radiation for just one hour a day for one month caused rats to experience a period of delay period before entering rapid eye movement deep sleep — a phase necessary for restful sleep. Another study4 published in 2015 found that 1.8 GHz frequencies affected rats’ circadian rhythm and decreased their daily production of melatonin. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (which help prevent cellular damage) were also decreased. Low melatonin is actually used as a marker for disturbed sleep.5 Until I personally addressed the ELF (electrical fields) in my bedroom, I could not get my deep sleep levels into healthy ranges. It comes as no great surprise then that sleep deprivation among teenagers rose by 57 percent between 1991 and 2015. Many do not even get seven hours of sleep on a regular basis, while science reveals they need a minimum of eight and as much as 10 hours to maintain their health. Twenge writes about the habits of those she interviewed:
Internet Addiction — A Growing EpidemicDependence or addiction to a digital device hooked to the internet affected 6 percent of the world population in 2014.6 This number may not appear to be significant on the surface, but consider that 6 percent of the world population was over 420 million people and that estimate has likely sharply risen in the last three years.7 Comparatively speaking, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 3.5 to 7 percent of the world population between 15 and 64 years had used an illicit drug in the past year.8 The percentage of those addicted to the internet may actually be higher as only 39 percent of the world in 2014 had access to the internet,9 driving the real percentage of those addicted to 15 percent. Symptoms of addiction are similar to other types of addiction, but are more socially acceptable. The authors of the study found an internet addiction (IA) is:10
Reach Out Recovery identifies conditions that may trigger internet addiction or compulsions, including anxiety, depression, other addictions, social isolation and stress.11 Internet activity may stimulate your brain’s reward system, much like drugs and alcohol, providing a constant source of information and entertainment. While each person’s internet use is different, the results may be the same. Long-term effects may include:
Google Would Like You to Keep On UsingIt should come as no surprise that companies that make money when more people spend more time and money on the internet are consciously trying to manipulate your behavior. Former Google product manager Tristan Harris revealed how digital giants are engineering smartphone apps and social media feedback to get you checking and double-checking online.12 However, while internet use is more socially acceptable, digital companies aren’t the only businesses using neurological and psychological strategies to increase their profit margins.13 Behavior patterns are often etched into neural pathways,14 and when those behaviors are also linked to hormone secretion and physiological responses, they become even more powerful. In fact, Harris describes the reward process of using a smartphone as “playing the slot machine.”15 And, Google has discovered a way to embed that reward system as you use the apps on your phone. This process is so important to digital corporations that Apple turned down a new smartphone app for their store that would help people to reduce their use of the internet and their smartphones. In the video above, Harris describes a process known in programing circles as “brain hacking,” as they incorporate knowledge of neuropsychology into the development of digital interfaces that boost interaction. For instance, getting likes on Facebook and Instagram, the “streaks” on Snapchat or cute emojis on texts are all designed to increase your engagement and desire to return. Harris describes it as a race to the bottom of the brainstem where fear and anxiety live, two of the most powerful motivators known to advertisers. Both advertisers and computer software developers are using these techniques to write code that will engage your attention.16 Wireless Technologies Wreak Havoc With Your Child’s Health and Well-BeingIn 2011, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer declared cellphones a Group 2B “possible human carcinogen”17 related to the microwave radiation emitted from the phone. Even cellphone manufacturers place warnings on their products to keep them at least 1 inch from your body.18 A systematic review and meta-analysis19 published in PLOS One in 2017 also warns that there’s a “significant positive association between long-term mobile phone use (minimum, 10 years) and glioma.” Overall, cellphone use for at least one decade was associated with a 2.22 greater odds of developing brain cancer. Such findings have gained strength with the publication of two lifetime exposure studies20,21 on animals, both of which confirmed an increased risk of brain tumors. While cancer is certainly a long-term concern, there are more pressing health effects associated with chronic, round-the-clock electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. Research22,23 by professor Martin Pall, Ph.D., reveals a previously unknown mechanism of biological harm from microwaves emitted by cellphones and other wireless technologies, which helps explain why these technologies can have such a potent impact on mental health specifically. Embedded in your cell membranes are voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs), which are activated by microwaves. When that happens, a flood of calcium ions is released, which stimulates the release of nitric oxide (NO) inside your cells and mitochondria. The NO then combines with superoxide to form peroxynitrite, which in turn creates hydroxyl free radicals — some of the most destructive free radicals known to man — which in turn decimate mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, their membranes and proteins. The result is mitochondrial dysfunction, which we now know is at the heart of most chronic disease. Excessive EMF Exposure Can Trigger Anxiety, Depression and Memory ProblemsThe reason excessive EMF exposure is associated with depression and neurological dysfunction, including dementia, is because your brain has the highest density of VGCCs in your body. The pacemaker in your heart and male testes are also high-density areas, and EMF exposure has been linked to cardiac arrhythmias and infertility as well. I simply do not believe bathing a fetus in EMFs in utero is a good idea. Without fully understanding the mechanisms involved, studies have linked excessive exposure to EMFs to an increased risk of both depression and suicide.24 Addiction to or “high engagement” with mobile devices can also trigger depression and anxiety, according to recent research from the University of Illinois.25 According to Nicholas Carr, author of the book, “The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains,” millennials are experiencing greater problems with forgetfulness than seniors.26 This is the “dark side” of neurological plasticity that allows your brain to adapt to changes in your environment. This type of plasticity is one way your brain recovers after a stroke has permanently damaged one area. A loss of white matter,27,28 reduced cortical thickness29,30 and impaired cognitive functioning31 are other brain structure and functional changes that have been demonstrated from long-term internet use. It is impossible to ignore that these devices are changing your brain structure, and the experience is also increasing exposure to microwave radiation and large amounts of blue light at night, thereby impacting your child’s body’s ability to produce melatonin. So, if your child or teen is showing signs of anxiety or depression, please, do what you must to limit their exposure to wireless technology. Teach them more responsible usage. At bare minimum, insist on their turning off phones and tablets at night, and to not sleep with their phone beneath their pillow or directly near their head. Really try to minimize the presence of electronic devices in their bedroom and, to protect everyone in your household and instill the concept of “off times,” shut down your Wi-Fi at night. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/11/20/smartphones-effect-on-mental-health.aspx Firefighting foam liberally used by the South Dakota Air National Guard and Sioux Falls Fire Department decades ago is the source of significant pollution to the drinking water of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, residents. Nineteen municipal wells representing 28 percent of the city’s water coming from the Big Sioux aquifer have been shut down.1 Fifteen of them contain polyfluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFASs) from the firefighting foam, which include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one of the highly toxic chemicals used in the production of Teflon, and a similar chemical, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). The toxic legacy persists because once PFAS enters the environment, it doesn’t break down but rather persists indefinitely. The extent of the contamination remains unclear, as do the potential health risks to longtime residents of the area. As reported by the Rapid City Journal, “As city officials grapple with the well shutdowns ... it may soon face an even larger challenge when citizens begin to learn how long their drinking water was contaminated before it was detected and the wells taken offline.”2 Residents Weren’t Notified of the Pollution for Three Years After the First DetectionIt was 2011 when water leaving the Sioux Falls water purification plant was first tested for PFAS. It was tested again in 2012, but the city didn’t receive the results until 2013. PFAS was detected but at levels below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) health advisory level. The city then tested all of their wells for PFAS and eventually shut down all that contained PFAS. The city then tested for PFAS again in 2014 and 2016, when the EPA lowered its health advisory level for PFAS to 70 parts per trillion (ppt). The 2016 tests found PFOS, which led to more wells being shut down. It was that year that the city finally released an announcement to tell residents about the contamination that had been found. The culprits, as detected by a consultant hired by the Department of Defense (DoD) and reported by the Rapid City Journal, was firefighting foam used for decades, beginning in 1970. First the Sioux Falls Fire Department sprayed the PFAS-laden foam at the city’s airport weekly during tests and training. In 1991, the South Dakota Air National Guard took over the firefighting duty and continued to release firefighting foam into the city’s sewer system. At least a dozen wells have been found to contain PFOA/PFOS at levels above the EPA’s advisory level, one with concentrations 3,500 times over and another at 200 times the limit. Ten of the wells, which produced an average of 440 million gallons of water per year, may be shut down indefinitely. According to the Rapid City Journal:3
PFAS Contamination in Drinking Water Common Near Military BasesDoD has reported that at least 126 drinking water systems near military bases are contaminated with PFASs, due to their use in firefighting foam.4 However, although other countries are now using firefighting foam that does not contain these toxic chemicals, the U.S. military is not. As reported by Sharon Lerner, a reporting fellow at The Investigative Fund and an investigative journalist for The Intercept and other major media outlets:5
This includes shorter-chained replacement PFAS chemicals such as PFHxS, which have very similar concerns as other PFASs, according to a report prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) HHS' Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).7 The fact remains that much is unknown about the extent of contamination and the resulting human health and environmental damage that may have occurred. “Important questions about today’s PFAS contamination remain unanswered,” the Rapid City Journal reported, adding:8
16.5 Million Americans Could Be Drinking PFAS-Contaminated WaterAccording to a 2016 Harvard study, 16.5 million Americans have detectable levels of at least one kind of PFAS in their drinking water, and about 6 million Americans are drinking water that contains PFAS at or above the EPA safety level.9 While toxic water supplies were found in 33 states, 75 percent of the samples with elevated PFAS came from 13 states: California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Georgia, Minnesota, Arizona, Massachusetts and Illinois. Not surprisingly, the highest concentration levels of PFAS were found in watersheds near industrial sites, military fire training areas and wastewater treatment plants, but private wells were also found to be contaminated. According to the study:10
It’s known, also, that people with such chemicals in their drinking water have higher levels in their bodies as well. For instance, one study compared detection of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in public drinking water with PFAA concentrations for 1,566 California women. The researchers found serum concentrations of two PFAAs, PFOS and PFOA, were 29 percent and 38 percent higher, respectively, among women with detectable levels in their drinking water compared to those without detectable levels.11 What’s more, the ATSDR report suggests that in order to protect public health, the EPA’s safety threshold levels should be much lower than 70 ppt, down to 7 ppt for PFOS and 11 ppt for PFOA.12 If the EPA safety level were lowered according to ATSDR’s recommendation, it means far more Americans are actually at risk. Already, certain states, including Vermont and Minnesota, have proposed or set lower drinking water standards for PFOA, including 14 ppt in New Jersey. Michigan even proposed setting a standard of 5 ppt for PFAS in December 2017. There are other questionable chemicals in firefighting foam as well, but the EPA has only set standards for PFOS and PFOA — and these are the only two chemicals the military is looking to remediate. “The exclusive focus on PFOA and PFOS means that some people who have the broader category of chemicals at considerable levels in their drinking water do not receive clean water from the military,” The Intercept reported.13 What Are the Health Risks of Drinking PFAS-Contaminated Water?In May 2015, more than 200 scientists from 40 countries signed the Madrid Statement, which warns about the harms of PFAS chemicals and documents the following potential health effects of exposure:14
Environmental concerns regarding firefighting foam first surfaced in the 1970s, and in 2000 its maker, 3M, finally said it would stop making the chemical. The decision came in response to an animal study that found PFOS led to weight loss, enlarged livers and premature death in monkeys, even at the lowest dose of exposure. The EPA acknowledged such risks to the Pentagon at the time, but although 3M stopped making the toxic foam, other companies did not. Further, they (DuPont and other chemical companies) also created the Fire Fighting Foam Coalition to present to the EPA on the firefighting foam’s supposed safety and usefulness for protecting military personnel from fires. The Intercept continued:15
The foam remains in use even as PFASs have been linked to negative liver, cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, reproductive and developmental effects, while other studies have revealed subtle effects such as an increased risk of obesity in children when exposed in utero and lowered immune response.16 Can PFAS Be Removed From Your Drinking Water?PFAS has no taste or smell, so the only way to know if it’s in your drinking water is to have your water tested. Because drinking water contaminants are so widespread, it’s wise to filter your water, but be aware that most water filters, such as those commonly sold at supermarkets, will not remove PFASs. The New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute recommends using granulated activated carbon "or an equally efficient technology" to remove chemicals such as PFOA and PFOS from your drinking water.17 Activated carbon has been shown to remove up to 90 percent of these chemicals. If you suspect you’ve already been exposed, implementing a detox program is highly recommended. In addition, it’s wise to avoid other sources of PFAS. Aside from firefighting foam, these chemicals are also widely used in nonstick cookware, water- and stain-repellant clothing, furniture and carpets, fast food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags. At the very least, if you live anywhere near a military installation or fire department fire-training area, consider getting your tap water tested for PFAS and other toxic contaminants, and in the meantime, assume it’s contaminated and start filtering it as soon as possible. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/11/20/perfluoroalkyl-from-firefighting-foam-linked-to-water-pollution.aspx |
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